A Scoutmaster's Blog

My  last post about ten reasons to be a Scout leader has been a popular post to this blog. One of the replies I received about the post was from a member of the “Boy Scout/Cub Scout Adult Leaders” group on LinkedIn.

Rush Kester lives in the Washington D.C. area. He has been involved with Scouting for 23 years and has held several positions including cubmaster and assistant scoutmaster, so he has a little experience behind him. Here is what is wrote in regards to becoming a Scout Leader:

*Weekend campouts are a great change of pace from office work and a stress reliever from any occupation.
*Observing the other kids is a good reminder that the stuff your child does (that drive you nuts) is “normal.”
*Folks, both youth & adults, can disagree and still have fun together.
*It keeps you young and active
*Its a great way to bond with your children
*The “quality” time you spend with your children is multiplied by the many other youth who benefit from your leadership.
*Your children will turn out better for it.
*There are other’s to remind your children that “character counts” with an easy to remember 12 point program.
*It’s a great way to see & do things that you wouldn’t normally.
*It’s a lot cheaper than theme park vacations every year.
*It’s a good reminder that your community still cares about things that are important.

I especially like the “12 point program” reason. Thanks for the list Rush, and for giving me permission to reprint it here.

Four years ago I wrote a blog post that became one of the most read posts I have ever written. It was during the time when many packs and troops were conducting recruitment drives and school nights. The article listed some reasons on why a parent should get involved as a leader in Scouting.

Well, it is that time of year again, so here is that article for all the new readers to this blog, and to refresh the memories of those of you who have been with me for awhile.

Boys around the country will be joining Boy Scouting for the first time this month. And new parents will be asked to help their troop or pack by becoming an adult leader. There are many reasons not to be a leader, but let me give you ten reasons why you should become a Scouter. (These are not in any sort of order.)

1) Be a positive influence in a boy’s life. I think we can agree that there are many youth out there who can benefit from more of this in today’s world.
2) Learn new skills. You are never too old to learn a new skill. And to tell the truth, I don’t think a person can ever learn too many skills.
3) Teach boys new skills. There are few things in life that will make you feel more proud then when you watch a boy or young man using a skill that you have helped them to master.
4) Make new friends. Not only will you form friendships with the boys, but you will also form new friendships with other Scouters.
5) Help your community. You provide this service through your unit’s service projects and by helping boys grow up to be better adults.
6) Spend time in the Great Outdoors. You really do need to get out of that recycled-air, stressed-filled office environment at least once a month.
7) Have a good laugh. Working with Scout age boys can be fun and funny in many ways. Just remember to laugh with the boys, not at the boys.
8 ) Go traveling. There are thousands of places to go that provide a great Scout Outing. And do not forget the opportunities to go to a National Jamboree, Philmont, or the other high adventure bases.
9) Get some exercise. We could all use more exercise. Just try keeping up with a group of Cub Scouts or Boy Scouts.
10) Be a kid again! Scouting gives adults the chance to have just as much fun as the Scouts themselves. Make sure that you do!

Well, those are ten of my reasons for being an adult Scout Leader. I am sure that some of you reading this could add some more to the list. I invite you to leave a comment and add those reasons.

It has been awhile since I have placed a slideshow of Troop 68 on the blog, so let’s go back to 1983 for a look at what the troop was up to nearly thirty years ago. (Sometimes, I find it hard to believe I have been a leader of the troop for that long.) There are 111 photographs in this set.

In 1989, several women who were involved with the Scouting program in Melrose, met at the local community access television studio to do a talk show about Cub Scouting and Boy Scouting in Melrose. The show was titled The Women Of Scouting. It was broadcast several times over the years, usually during Boy Scout anniversary week in the first part of February. This program has now been broken down into five parts and will be shown on the Melrose Scout Productions Podcast during the next few months.

Part one features Mary H., a mother of a Boy Scout who also went through the Cub Scout program. (Tom would later become an Eagle Scout.) Ann B., our hostess, talks with Mary about being a member of the Cub Pack leadership, and her current role on the Boy Scout troop committee. They also discuss some of Mary’s best times being involved with Scouting. Find out how Scouting today compares to Scouting in 1989.

Click here to DOWNLOAD and watch this Podcast.
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